Social Service Delivery for Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children (OVC) An Assessment of Ibanda Child Development Center (CDC), Ibanda, Southwestern Uganda

Abstract

The study set out to examine the quality of social services provided to OVC, focusing on a case study of Ibanda CDC. Specifically, the research explored the nature of social services, its relevancy and adequacy, mechanisms of delivery and sustainability plans and options for social service delivery to OVC at ICDC. While enormous resource input continues to be made in the pursuit of advocating for children in a holistic way, it is not yet empirically ascertained whether mission of supporting OVC holistically is being achieved. The study comprised both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The sample size was 120 OVCs and 120 caregivers. An interview schedule was the instrument that was used to enhance interaction between the researcher and the key informants. Focus group discussions for ICDC program staff, management team and community leaders were held. The findings show that the nature of social services offered at ICDC were holistic and integrated, comprising spiritual support services, psychosocial services, socio-economic security (SES) services as well as health and education services. SES services were found to be scanty, weak and in infancy. The core implementation strategies for social services delivery at ICDC included children participation, direct service provision and community empowerment. Sustainability plans and options at ICDC for social service delivery that were evident included social and physical infrastructure such as land, buildings, community leadership and partnership. Financial sustainability was found to be weak. The researcher recommends diversification and quality improvement of SES services, targeting OVC households in service delivery and adaptation of models such as cycles of hope in SES services, memory book in psychosocial support, COPE in health services and whole school approach in education services in enhancement of social service delivery at ICDC.